In 10 seconds? A new analysis for Japan calculates that installing solar panels on roofs and using electric vehicles can save money and mitigate human-caused climate change. Making these changes for residential properties produces better results than for commercial properties.

What are the numbers? By 2025, the authors show, about 15-25% of energy costs can be saved along with 60-80% of carbon dioxide emissions. 2040 would see reductions of 35-45% in costs and 70-90% in carbon dioxide emissions. The higher values are for buildings in a residential district of the town of Shinchi while the lower values are for a commercial district in Kyoto. Payback periods for investment in the systems started at 10-15 years in 2020, dropping to as low as three years by 2040 as the cost of installation declines.

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